The reliquaries of the Royal Chapel in Granada

The reliquaries in the Royal Chapel of Granada have an important history and many of them are linked to such notable personalities as Isabella the Catholic. For this reason, you should know their current composition and their characteristics

Would you like to discover the events that took place in the reliquaries of the Royal Chapel of Granada? Stay and read this article, we will show you everything you need to know below!

What are the reliquaries?

A reliquary is a piece where a relic is kept and displayed. Thus, it is the term for an altar, a cupboard or a chapel where relics are placed and venerated

Reliquaries can be made of many different materials and many of them are true works of art. Moreover, their history and development are linked to two factors: their appearance, their diffusion and their liturgical use, as well as the evolution of artistic tastes.

Thus, over the years, their forms and names have changed.

The reliquaries of the Royal Chapel of Granada

In the Royal Chapel, the relics are generally from the Roman or medieval period. On the whole, however, the reliquaries date from a later period.

Some of the reliquaries found in the Royal Chapel are directly linked to the private piety of Isabella the Catholic. They are easily transportable for installation in alcoves and oratories, due to the well-travelled court at the queen's disposal.

There are also many other Gothic, Renaissance, Mannerist, Baroque and Rococo reliquaries. Thus, the Royal Chapel of Granada has reliquaries from the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

Current location in the transept

At the end of Philip IV's tour of Andalusia in 1624, he visited Granada. During his visit he appointed the abbot of the Abbey of Sacromonte, Don Pedro de Ávila, as Visitor of the Royal Chapel.

From that moment on, as a result of a Royal Decree of 19 August 1630, he ordered the construction of the reliquary cabinets in the transept in order to dignify and provide greater security for the relics.

This act had been necessary for years, as can be seen in the report of 1589 by Diego Lucio Lucero, ombudsman of the Royal Chancery. In this document he denounces, along with many other shortcomings in the running of the institution, the poor care and poor condition of the relics in the sacristy.

The two altarpieces

In the Royal Chapel of Granada we find two reliquary cupboard altarpieces that were made between 1630 and 1633 to house the relics that had belonged to the sacristy since 1521. They are carved in gilded and polychrome wood, with reliefs of saintly kings above the doors.

An architectural structure with strong columns, corbels and graceful angels supporting the four doors of the cupboards. Parallel to the columns is a rich decoration of angels and fruit between scrolls.

The entablature is crowned by 2 large volutes in the form of a split pediment on which, reclining or seated, the theological and cardinal virtues are present.

On the left-hand altarpiece we can find reliefs of the Immaculate Conception, St. John the Baptist, St. Peter and St. Paul. We can also see Don Fernando, Doña Isabel, Don Felipe and Doña Juana on the lower doors.

On the other hand, on the right-hand side, there are reliefs of Saint Michael, Saint James, Saint Joseph with the Child and Saint Philip. In addition, there is the Emperor Charles, the Empress Isabella, Philip IV and his first wife Isabella of Bourbon.

The interior of the reliquaries

Previous reliquaries, generally made of silver, were placed in the new cupboards and, according to the measurements and shapes of the niches, other new reliquaries were made in gilded and polychrome wood and in gilded bronze with enamel inlays.

Alonso de Mena worked on the altarpieces and reliquaries together with numerous sculptors and gilders. Thus, in 1633 the new reliquaries were placed inside the recently completed cupboards.

It was no longer necessary to take the relics out for the veneration of the faithful, it was enough to open the doors of the cupboards and draw the curtains that covered the reliquaries.

Why visit the Royal Chapel of Granada?

As we have seen throughout this article on the reliquaries of the Royal Chapel of Granada, this site has numerous relics, making it one of the most important places in the city. Thus, every year it receives thousands of visitors, making tourists astonished by its beauty and spectacularity.

If you would like to get more information about this monument, do not hesitate to buy the tickets for the Royal Chapel of Granada on the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada. Let yourself be amazed by this temple and enjoy all the works of art inside!

We also invite you to purchase our book on the relics and reliquaries of the Royal Chapel of Granada, which you can buy through this link!